CHALLENGE WEST 2023 REGATTA PACKAGE

 

REGISTRATION

 

Racing Dates

July 7-9, 2023

 

Regatta Site

Elk Lake Boathouse, 5100 Patricia Bay Highway, Victoria BC

 

Your Hosts

This regatta is hosted by the Victoria City Rowing Club. 

 

Concession

Update (March 2023): The VCRC Junior Parent Committee will be offering up delicious and nutritious food all weekend long. Proceeds from the concession will support the VCRC junior rowing program. Cash and card payments will be accepted.

 

Eligibility

All athletes must be registered members of their provincial sports organization and Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA). American entries must be registered with USRowing. 

 

Entries

All entries must be made online on Regatta Central. 

 

Important Dates 

Refer to Regatta Central for dates and deadlines. 

 

Scratches

Scratches without penalty fees will be accepted until 11:59pm PST on June, 30, 2023

 

Entry Fees

Entry fees need to be submitted to complete a registration. Rowing BC and Rowing Canada Aviron seat fees will be added to each event. 

 

 

There will be no refund of entry fees should weather conditions cause cancellations of races as all expenses for the regatta are incurred prior to the event. Details regarding refunds due to COVID-19 can be found on the COVID-19 Safety Event Plan. 

 

Categories

 

 

 

Events

 

 

*Experienced coxswains only

 

RACE SCHEDULE

 

Please visit Regatta Central for the race schedule. The race schedule is subject to change depending on entries. 

 

Progression System 

 

Less than 7 entries: straight final  

Greater than 6, less than 13 entries: heats → finals 

Greater than 12 entries*: time trial → semis → finals 

 

*Athletes will race a time trial, with the top 12 progressing to 2 semi-finals and then

to Finals A and B. The remainder will progress to Finals C, D, E… if necessary. 

 

RACE DAY

 

Coach/Coxswain Meetings

There will be a coach/coxswain safety meeting at 6am before racing commences each day. All other communications will be done through the Challenge West 2023 Whatsapp group.

 

Weigh-In Notes

Weigh-ins will happen at the Upstairs Studio (Mike Spracklen Room). Starting at 7am and finishing at 9 am for both lightweight rowers and coxswains.

 

Hot Seating – Report Departure

Umpires will release a bow number in the appropriate situation where hot seats are needed. The expectation is that when the bow marker is switched, the old bow marker be returned to control commission and the time that the crew left the dock be reported to the umpire at control commission. This enhances safety in case of emergency as it enhances knowledge of who is on the water. 

 

Trailer Parking

Please notify us of your estimated arrival time to allow us to meet you and help you park your trailer safely. Please do not park on the lower grassy plain as the water table is high and your trailer will get stuck. Should you get your trailer stuck, extraction and grass repair are at your club’s cost. Please email Sierra Inglis at [email protected] to let her know your day and time of arrival. 

 

Registration Packages

This is a paperless event. Training and racing maps will be posted beside the boathouse on the way to the launch. 

 

Training Flow Pattern

All Elk Lake regattas follow the same training flow pattern once the course is in and open. Lane 1 is closest to the Patricia Bay Highway, and lane 6 is closest to the boathouse and docks. Crews will use lanes 6 and 5 to row to the start line. Lanes 4 and 3 are neutral for safety boats. Lanes 2 and 1 row to the finish line. Please consult the maps posted on the side of the boathouse. Please read the signage at the top of the dock to determine whether the training course is open. 

 

See the training flow pattern online here. 

 

Racing Flow Pattern 

All crews will launch from the docks ensuring they avoid the submerged stumps marked by orange buoys just off the dock. They will head for the warmup flow pattern which is marked by 2 large buoys around which they will row in a clockwise fashion. Racing then proceeds down the lanes under umpire direction. 

 

See the  racing flow pattern for 1850m races online here. 

See the Time Trial flow pattern online here

See the racing flow pattern for 1000m races here.

 

RULES & LOGISTICS

 

Equipment

All shells must be fitted with heel tie-downs, single hand release of shoe closures, proper bow balls, and bow clips. All equipment will be checked by Control Commission and must be deemed acceptable before launching. 

 

Rules of Racing

Rowing Canada Aviron’s Rules of Racing shall apply. See the RCA Rules of Racing online here. 

 

Racing Distance

Adult, Junior, Para: 1850m

Masters: 1000m 

 

Uniforms

It is expected that members of any one club will have matching uniforms as per the RCA Rules of Racing. Should weather conditions pose a problem, these rules will be relaxed where logical after consultation with the Chief Umpire. 

 

Medical Services

St. John’s Ambulance will be provided on site for all competitors. For serious medical cases we will dial 9-1-1. 

 

RESULTS & AWARDS

 

Results

All results can be found on Regatta Data. 

 

Awards

The top 3 in each event will be awarded. Awards will be handed out following the completion of each final. 

 

Feedback 

All regattas depend on feedback to continue to increase the quality of the event. Please provide your feedback on the Rowing BC website.

 

CONTACT

 

Event Contact Information

 

Saul Garcia

Elk Lake Spring Regatta Chair

saul@vcrc.bc.ca 

 

Justin Hume

VCRC Administration

[email protected]